The 190-passenger, 443-foot-long Viking Idun launched in March 2012, inaugurating Viking River Cruises' new Longship class. By the end of 2013, a dozen sisters will be plying Europe's inland waterways.
The Longships are named after Norse gods and designed by maritime architects Yran & Storbraaten (known for their work on
Disney Dream and
Seabourn Cruise Line's ships). The boats sail Viking's most popular routes along the Rhine, Danube and related tributaries.
Amenity-wise, here's what passengers can expect to find on Viking Idun:
There are two 445-square-foot Explorer Suites on Idun. Each features a separate living room, bedroom, bathroom and private, wraparound verandah. The seven 270-square-foot Veranda Suites on each ship offer full-size balconies in the living room and French balconies in the bedroom, a "balcony-and-a-half" concept introduced by AMAWATERWAYS.
Seventy-five percent of cabins feature small verandahs or French balconies, including 39 205-square-foot Veranda Staterooms. (The slender balconies have room for two chairs and a table.)
The Aquavit Terrace is a new lounge concept found on the Longships. The all-weather indoor/outdoor space features retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors for alfresco relaxation on nice days and climate-controlled views on crummy days.
Passengers have several dining options, including the main restaurant (set time, open seating) and an alfresco area with grills on the sun deck.
Within the industry, Viking is known for being slightly more "green" than its competitors. Idun and its sisters feature energy-efficient hybrid engines, solar panels and an organic herb garden.
Viking has opted not to take away from cabin space to offer a spa or cinema. Instead, it offers spa and health club packages at luxury hotels in select destinations and provide the option to transform Idun's main lounge into a theater with multiple viewing screens and surround sound.
